Description
Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Quinoa is a quick, flavorful, and nourishing one-pan meal featuring tender chicken infused with garlic and bright lemon, combined with fluffy quinoa and fresh herbs. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish offers balanced nutrition, minimal cleanup, and versatile flavor options.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into even pieces
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Quinoa and Cooking Liquids
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
Flavorings and Fresh Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Rinse the quinoa under cold water until water runs clear to remove bitterness. Zest and juice the lemon. Finely chop the garlic cloves and fresh herbs. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Have vegetable broth ready.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside. Keep pan and drippings for next step.
- Cook Garlic and Quinoa: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in rinsed quinoa, toasting it for 2 minutes to infuse flavor. Pour in vegetable broth and apple cider vinegar, then bring to a boil.
- Simmer and Add Lemon: Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let quinoa simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in fresh lemon juice and zest to brighten the dish.
- Combine and Garnish: Place cooked chicken on top of the quinoa and warm through off the heat for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Rinse quinoa well to reduce bitterness and ensure fluffy texture.
- Toast quinoa before cooking to add subtle nutty flavor.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for best citrus notes.
- Cook chicken pieces evenly sized for uniform cooking and juiciness.
- Allow dish to rest a few minutes after cooking for flavors to meld perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: garlic lemon chicken quinoa, quick chicken quinoa, one pot chicken quinoa, healthy chicken quinoa, easy dinner quinoa
